Racing:Willie Mullins plans to run Cooldine in the Irish Hennessy next month after last year's RSA Chase hero returned to action in the Lexus Chase over Christmas only to pull up before the last.
"He's just alright,” said Mullins. “He had a little bit of an infection after the Lexus but we've treated him and he's back riding. Hopefully he'll go for the Hennessy on February 7th. I was hoping to get a run into him before that but that probably won't happen now."
Cooldine is a general 20/1 chance for the totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup but Mullins admits he will need to be at the peak of his powers to face Kauto Star and Denman.
"The front two in the market have done it this season, my fellow hasn't. He still hasn't stepped up into open company yet and that is a big challenge for any novice coming along.
"The year hasn't gone properly for him - he's been sound but not 100 per cent healthy. It's going to be a lot of work to turn it around in the next few weeks but we have to try and do that."
Meanwhile Arkle Trophy favourite Sizing Europe is set to be given an entry in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham.
Henry de Bromhead's stable star is unbeaten over fences to date and was left clear at the last by the fall of Captain Cee Bee when winning the Bord Na Mona - With Nature Novice Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas.
"I'd say he'll have an entry (in the Champion Chase). It's subject to speaking to Alan and Ann Potts, I'd imagine we'd stick to the novices' race but you never know," said the trainer.
Sizing Europe, winner of the Aig Europe Champion Hurdle, is likely to head to the Festival without another run.
"I'd imagine he will go straight to Cheltenham now. That's the plan at the moment. I think he's as good - if not better - than when he won the Irish Champion Hurdle.
"He may not have had his A-game at Leopardstown the other day but his three wins prior to that over fences were as impressive as he's ever been," added de Bromhead.